Abstract
There are numerous over-the-counter (OTC) and professionally applied (in-office) products and techniques currently available for the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity (DH), but more recently, the use of bioactive glasses in toothpaste formulations have been advocated as a possible solution to managing DH. Aim. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to compare several bioactive glass formulations to investigate their effectiveness in an established in vitro model. Materials and Methods. A 45S5 glass was synthesized in the laboratory together with several other glass formulations: (1) a mixed glass (fluoride and chloride), (2) BioMinF, (3) a chloride glass, and (4) an amorphous chloride glass. The glass powders were formulated into five different toothpaste formulations. Dentine discs were sectioned from extracted human teeth and prepared for the investigation by removing the cutting debris (smear layer) following sectioning using a 6% citric acid solution for 2 minutes. Each disc was halved to provide test and control halves for comparison following the brushing of the five toothpaste formulations onto the test halves for each toothpaste group. Following the toothpaste application, the test discs were immersed in either artificial saliva or exposed to an acid challenge. Results. The dentine samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and observation of the SEM images indicated that there was good surface coverage following artificial saliva immersion. Furthermore, although the acid challenge removed the hydroxyapatite layer on the dentine surface for most of the samples, except for the amorphous chloride glass, there was evidence of tubular occlusion in the dentine tubules. Conclusions. The conclusions from the study would suggest that the inclusion of bioactive glass into a toothpaste formulation may be an effective approach to treat DH.
Highlights
IntroductionThe use of bioactive glasses in toothpaste formulations has been advocated as a possible long-term solution for managing Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) [2]
Each part of the disc was mounted flat with the upper side exposed for brushing. e samples were subsequently sputter coated with gold/palladium for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. e images were obtained from different fields of the disc at alternative magnifications such as 5000x and 10000x. It was evident from previous research in the department that the bioactive glasses have the capacity of occluding dentine tubules and as such may be an effective treatment for Dentine hypersensitivity (DH)
In the 45S5 sample, there was evidence that the Bioglass did not form apatite directly but may have formed a phase called octacalcium phosphate (OCP) which displays a plate-like morphology which may, convert to a hydroxycarbonated apatite. e use of artificial saliva immersion following the toothpaste application was a useful addition to the methodology normally employed in in vitro studies in that it provided a similar environment to the oral cavity
Summary
The use of bioactive glasses in toothpaste formulations has been advocated as a possible long-term solution for managing DH [2]. E mechanisms underpinning the hydrodynamic theory are generally investigated in several recognized models, for example, in vitro, in situ, in vivo human studies and animal studies (for nerve desensitizing mechanisms). E aim of the present in vitro study, was to investigate the effectiveness of experimental bioactive glasses designed for toothpaste formulations. An ideal desensitizing agent should have a rapid action with long-term effects, be non-irritant to pulp, painless, easy to apply, and should not stain the tooth [4]. Toothpastes are considered the most economic method for using desensitizing in-home treatments and generally are classified by the regulatory authorities on the ingredients within the formulation (e.g., cosmetic and medicine/drug) [5, 6]. Toothpastes are considered the most economic method for using desensitizing in-home treatments and generally are classified by the regulatory authorities on the ingredients within the formulation (e.g., cosmetic and medicine/drug) [5, 6]. ere are a plethora of products that are being developed for this condition, but currently, there does not appear to be one ideal product that can completely resolve the problem
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